"Maybe Maya and Jake can offer some insight," he suggested, gesturing for the confused two to take the floor.
"What's wrong?" Maya mouthed, and Ryan shrugged.
"It's about Marisol." He supplied, and Jake made a sound of realization before scratching at his nape awkwardly.
"Lily, we understand how you feel," Maya began slowly, crouching to be at eye level with the other, "But with the turn things have taken so far, you know how big of a role Marisol has to play in all of it. She wouldn't ignore you on purpose, you know that."
Lily's frustration boiled over, and she sprang to her feet so suddenly that it momentarily stunned Maya, her emotions reaching a breaking point. "You don't get it!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I thought Marisol and I were friends, but now it feels like she's just thrown me to the side to entertain everybody else! How would you feel if I did that to either of you!"
She doesn't wait for a reply, storming off with her words still hanging in the air, her emotions raw and unchecked. Her friends watched her leave with concern and shock etched into their features.
"That's not the Lily I know," Jake commented briefly after, and Ryan nodded.
"We need to find a way to help her," Maya spoke this time, "She's clearly struggling, and we can't just leave her to keep feeling like she's all alone."
"I'm a bit hurt," Ryan hummed, looking between them all, "I mean, we're still here for her, right? All of us. And we've been here even before Marisol. It's a bit hurtful that she's not seeing us and has all her focus on Marisol instead."
Maya rolled her eyes when Jake nodded in agreement. "I might not recognize this side of Lily, but it's obvious that she's bonded with Marisol. Besides, are we all forgetting that Lily has always been the odd one out among us? Her job at the pack house has kept her mostly away from us, and most times, she has to be filled in on what's been going on with us. She found Marisol as a friend and confidant within the pack house where she had no one. It's obvious from just how excited she was to introduce us. Two of the most important people from different parts of her life. She's allowed to be anxious about losing that, even though I don't think she will, and she just needs to see things from Marisol's point, too."
"True," Ryan sighed, his brows furrowed with concern. "We'll figure something out," he exhaled, determined. "Lily's our friend, we'll get her the audience with Marisol, even if it means kidnapping her."
They all laugh at that until the sound is abruptly cut off when a wave of unusual energy zapped through the air, causing them to freeze, their eyes simultaneously shining gold as they received a warning.
'The south border has been breached by a troop of rogues! We are under attack!'
Meanwhile, Lily stormed through the forest, her frustration guiding her steps as she allowed her anger to consume her. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being sidelined, of being pushed away by Marisol just when she thought she'd be needed the most. Despite her genuine concern for her friend, Lily felt like she had been shut out, left to wander aimlessly with her emotions running high.
With each step, her frustration only seemed to grow, fueled by the whispers of the spirits that surrounded her. Unbeknownst to Lily, her concern was slowly morphing into anger and jealousy, a toxic emotion that threatened to consume her from within.
Lost in her thoughts, Lily stumbled upon a figure standing in her path, a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Marisol. It took Lily a moment to realize that she was face to face with Nicole, Marisol's mother, and a legendary werewolf in her own right.
"Oh, I- I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there." Lily apologized immediately, realizing that she had inadvertently bumped into someone of great importance. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."
Nicole smiled warmly at Lily's flustered apology, "It's okay. It was a mistake. Are you Lily, by any chance?"
Lily's eyes widened at the mention of her name, disbelieving the fact that Marisol's mother would even be aware of her existence.
"Y- yes, I am." She stuttered out. "How do you know my name?"
Nicole sighed, her expression reflecting a mix of amusement and frustration. "Marisol has been talking about you non-stop. She asked me to seek you out. Since I've had nothing to do around this place anyway, and I can't even spend time with my own daughter, I decided to go in search of you."
Lily's jaw hung wide. "She... she mentioned me?"
Nicole raised a brow, "Of course, you're her closest friend in this place, aren't you?"
Lily nodded eagerly. She was full of emotion, so much so that her anger slowly melted into nothing, replaced with a sense of warmth and gratitude. The fact that Marisol had mentioned her to her own mother meant more to Lily than she could express.
Nicole took her hands, a grateful smile decorating her lips, "Thank you for being there for Marisol. It means a lot to her. And to me too. The fact that someone was there to look out for her when even her parents couldn't bring me so much relief, I can not thank you enough."